Solo Travel as an Introvert: 9 Tips From A Woman Who Gets It

Solo travel is often painted as this bold, transformative adventure, but for introverts, it can come with an entirely different set of challenges.

Having travelled to over 40 countries solo as an introvert, I’ve learned that a lot of the typical travel advice doesn’t quite fit. 

The constant movement, high-energy hostels, and pressure to socialise can be overwhelming if your energy comes from a bit of peace and quiet.

Research backs this up. A 2025 study found that introverts are more likely to experience lower well-being and greater loneliness, particularly when time alone isn’t intentional. 

That means designing travel in a way that supports your nervous system, rather than pushing and forcing against it, is key.

In this post, I’m sharing 9 honest, practical tips on how to solo travel as an introvert, for those who want to enjoy solo travel without feeling drained or lonely.

These are the strategies that helped me find confidence whilst exploring the world without pretending to be someone I’m not.

1. Accept That You Are an Introvert (and That’s Okay)

One of the biggest challenges of solo travel as an introvert is the pressure to act more outgoing than you really are.

But accepting your introversion, rather than trying to force yourself into an extroverted version of you that doesn’t exist, is one of the biggest mindset shifts you can make before travelling solo.

Now I’m not saying you can’t train yourself to be more confident (because you definitely can…but that’s a whole other blog post).

However, it’s really important to accept who you are at your core. Being ok with who you are and knowing that the right people will accept you for you is a quiet form of confidence that we introverts can use to our advantage. 

For years, I thought I just needed to be more outgoing, and I so badly wanted to be that effortlessly sociable girl who made friends instantly in hostels (and admittedly, sometimes I still do). 

And, up until my late 20s, I used to rely on alcohol to help me get there. I’d drink to give myself confidence, hoping it would help me become that extroverted version of myself (and it did), but more often than not, I ended up way too drunk, and a total liability to myself… which is the last thing you want when you’re travelling solo.

I also realised that relying on alcohol for my confidence was a very unhealthy slippery slope and the hang-xiety I would wake up with the next day just wasn’t worth it all. 

It took me a very long time to realise that no amount of overthinking or planning ever changed how my nervous system reacted in social situations and that my body always led the way. 

Once I stopped fighting that and started accepting myself for who I am, things got easier. Now I’m not saying I don’t still grapple with this from time to time because that would be lying, but it’s definitely got easier as time has gone on.

2. Choose Hostels That Match Your Energy

Not all hostels are introvert-friendly hostels. As an introvert, the trick is finding a place that gives you the option to be social, without forcing it down your throat (I try to avoid those hotels that offer free shots on check-in like the plague).

These days, I always read the reviews like my trip depends on it (because, honestly, it kind of does).

If the top comments are all about crazy bar crawls and drinking games every night, I know that it’s not the place for me (and I say that not just as an introvert, but as a woman who is travelling in her 30s, and likes things a little calmer these days).

Instead, I look for hostels that are more chilled, but still have a social atmosphere. Places where the reviews mention things like relaxed communal spaces or a rooftop terrace where you can mingle without any pressure or forced fun.

I always think that the best hostels make it easy to connect when you’re in the mood, but also respect that some of us need some time to recharge (the best example I’ve seen of this is at Seaesta Komodo Hostel in Indonesia).

And if you are keen to meet people in the hostel but feel a bit stuck, don’t overthink it. Just spend some time in the common area and put your phone away. Looking open to a conversation and coming across as approachable is often all it takes for someone else to approach you and strike up a chat.

3. Book Private Rooms When You Feel Burnt Out

No matter whether you’re an introvert or an extrovert, there always comes a point in your trip where your social battery completely runs out (this just probably happens a lot faster for us introverts). 

This usually creeps up on you after one too many shared dorms and having to reintroduce yourself again and again to so many new faces (and a schedule that you’ve probably packed too tightly). 

In my early travel days, I’d try to push through it and stay in dorms even when I was craving space, telling myself that it was worth it all for the sake of the “budget”, but sometimes it was worth spending that little extra for the sake of your mental health and personal space. 

These days, I know better, and now I always budget for at least one private room per month of my trip (even if it’s just a night or two to rest properly) and have the space to unpack my things properly. 

You’ll enjoy your travels so much more when you give yourself full permission to recharge exactly when you need to. 

4. Join Group Tours for Low-Effort Socialising

It’s actually surprisingly easy to make friends whilst solo travelling outside of the usual hostel scene. 

One of the easiest (and most introvert-friendly) ways I’ve found to connect with people is through group tours.

Whether that’s a 10-day group tour that takes you through a whole country, an overnight hike up a mountain or a city walking tour that’s only a couple of hours, the shared experience makes creating a connection so much easier. 

For us introverts, this kind of set-up can be a lifesaver. You can chat when you feel up to it, or simply keep to yourself if that’s what you prefer.

I usually book my tours through platforms like GetYourGuide or Viator, and honestly, I always walk away with at least one great conversation. Again, just as with the hostels, make sure to read the reviews to understand whether it’s the right tour for you and what you want in that moment.

5. Embrace Alone Time Without Feeling Lonely

Feeling lonely vs being alone while travelling are two very different experiences.

A recent study on introversion and well-being found that introverts are more likely to feel lonely when solitude is imposed rather than intentional. 

One of the best things about solo travel is that you get to choose when you want to be alone and when you don’t, depending on what mood you’re in (something you don’t get to choose when you are travelling with a friend or partner).

That being said, there will be times when you want to be social, and there won’t be anyone that you click with; however, more often than not, the power will be in your hands. 

Some of my favourite travel moments have been the most chilled ones when I’m alone, just enjoying a coffee at an aesthetic cafe, or soaking up the sun on the beach.